Olympia Symphony Orchestra Celebrates Route 66

By LUCIA VOLKER The upcoming season is the 66th for Olympia Symphony Orchestra. Last year, the  focus was on grand, celebratory symphonies. “The season after a big anniversary year is always tough, when the hoopla is over and bunting taken down,” says music director and conductor Huw Edwards, “but these are great years to really …

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Lacey in Tune – The Not-Its

By TOM SIMPSON If you are under age 15, and you like to rock, Lacey in Tune and Timberland Regional Library’s Summer Reading program has you covered. The Not-Its, a Northwest “Kindie Rock” quintet, is composed of Sub Pop alumni and radical musicians who create kid-friendly harmonies infused with punk sensibility and rocking beats. Are …

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Lacey in Tune – Return of the King

By TOM SIMPSON Danny Vernon is well known to Olympia and Lacey audiences for his fascinating recreation of Elvis Presley’s passion, style and tunes. He performs music from across Presley’s career, including the young, hillbilly Elvis of the 1950s, the sleek movie-star Elvis of the 1960s and the dissolute, glam Elvis of the 1970s. Performing …

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“Ruthless!” Premiers at Harlequin Productions

by Tom Simpson On August 16, Harlequin Productions opens the musical Ruthless! – The Stage Mother of all Musicals. Ruthless! is a unique all female musical. The story spoofs the genre of classic Broadway musicals that feature an ambitious young female lead, embodied by well-known shows like Annie, Gypsy and Mame, as well as movies that embody this genre, like All About …

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Lacey in Tune – Nashville Singer Kaitie Wade

By TOM SIMPSON Country singer and songwriter Kaitie Wade spent the last five years in Nashville, performing and recording to international acclaim. Her single “Don’t Wanna Miss” received airplay on U.S. and international radio last year. Wade recently opened for country star Russell Dickerson during his Washington-state tour. Her entertaining style includes a classic-country feel …

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Lacey in Tune – Sway

By TOM SIMPSON Lacey in Tune goes into August with SWAY, a Northwest cover band that features contemporary hits by artists like, Bruno Mars, Usher, Rihanna, David Guetta, Lady GaGa, Justin Timberlake, The Weeknd, Jason Derulo, LMFAO and Ariana Grande. The band also throws in classic hits by Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, and Prince for …

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Lacey in Tune – Creature Teachers

By TOM SIMPSON Instead of music or acting, this evening focuses on creatures of all sizes and types – including the most creepy-crawly of all, snakes and spiders. “Creature Teachers” is a dynamic duo, composed of animal lovers Shanti Kriens and Amanda LeBlanc. Kriens and LeBlanc take creatures of all sizes directly into classrooms and …

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The Washington Center Gala 2018

By JONAH BARRETT for OLY ARTS   Get dressed up and get fancy for the third-annual Center Stage Awards and Gala at The Washington Center for the Performing Arts this July. “This year’s gala will have a Midsummer Night’s Dream feel,” said executive director Jill Barnes. “Think fairies, fireflies and outdoor gardens.” The gala is …

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Wordsmiths: new local literary interview series

OLY ARTS brings to the South Sound Wordsmiths, a new local literary interview series. Wordsmiths features local literary groups in the Pacific Northwest and their impact on their local communities. In Chapter One, Wordsmiths interviewed Jackie Casella and Joshua Swainston of Tacoma’s Creative Colloquy – a nonprofit where writers come together and read their work …

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Lacey in Tune – Beatles Tribute

By TOM SIMPSON At the end of July, Lacey in Tune is proud to bring Beatles cover band British Export to local audiences. British Export has recreated the tunes, the style and the amazing passion of a live Beatles show with their tribute concerts, performing for thousands of fans at prestigious events around the world. …

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